My husband I started ttc almost a year and a half ago. Although not as long as some of you ladies- my thoughts are with you because just in this year and a half it has been a tough pill to swallow. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be sitting here and typing a story about my hardships of TTC... here I am. I am one of "those" I am always in a constant state of "why me?!" As I am sure all of you ttc's feel that way each month that ticks by.

It all started out the beginning of last summer... I was 31 and finally that timer that everyone talks about kicked in. My husband and I have been together for almost 10 years and enjoyed so much together. Well I felt that way, it took a little on his end to get him convinced that we were ready for this big step.

I didn't chart the first few months, just kind of went with the flow- yeup you guessed it--- nothing! So I started figuring out my cycle lengths and started turning to my CM to figure out my most fertile days. Well nothing was happening- in fact a lot of heart breaks, fights with my husband about it not happening and STRESS! So at the end of 2013 I was like ok, I am going to have fun in January and for a few months and try not to think into it- like most advice given. NOTHING!

So in April of this year, I thought I need to go in and talk to a doctor. She took the approach that we should just keep trying and everything will be fine. In the back of my mind, I was thinking AHEM- NO... we have been trying for almost a year, something is up! I just knew it in my heart.

So the next month I had these horrible horrible pains during my period and bowel movements and I was like hmm? That is weird. Googled it and Endometriosis came up- never heard of it in my life?! And come to find out painful bowel movements are a symptom. So I thought back throughout the years and occasionally, yes during my cycle I did have these painful bowel movements. Who would have thought that this is linked to something that causes infertility?! Say what???

So I researched doctors and decided in June to book an appointment with a great OBGYN in town. I went in, she talked to me for a half hour about my history, etc- finally getting somewhere. She wanted to run the blood tests to check thyroid, ovarian reserve, etc. So I was like awesome- finally! Well as you know, you have to wait till certain times to take do the bloodwork and another month passed. Finally, everything came back and everything was NORMAL- hmmph, like really?! :dohh:

Thankfully, she works fast and suggested we do an ultrasound to check out my ovaries and uterus to see if they saw any cysts. Guess what- NOTHING! Everything looked great. Very frustrated- so onto my husband.

He had the sperm analysis done and he had this highest sperm count EVER! The only thing that was a little below average was morphology which should be 14% and his was 10%. Dr says give him some supplements to boost that- ok EASY! But hey doc? Is that really what could be holding everything up? She said more than likely not. I knew after reading all these forums and research, that if I have endo, the only way to confirm and remove is laparoscopy- SURGERY! Yeup, in comes the why me?! I really have to have surgery now at this point. It's August of 2014 and I am prepping for surgery. Come again?

I went through a hopeful, yet hard month of August. Reading so many success stories on pregnancy after a lap, so I was ecstatic. BUT really?! Surgery! Yeup, surgery.

So in September, I go in surgery day to have my lap done. I was a little nervous, but staying positive. All I could think is we are getting closer to having a baby. So they go in- I wake up with extreme pain in my arms- yes apparently the gas is the worse part. So I ask for my husband and he comes in and the doctor confirmed I had endo behind my uterus and not a lot, she removed it. And one of my tubes was blocked and that is all clear now! I cried. I finally had answers. I finally had hope and my husband actually believed me when I said I know something is wrong with me. Just so much emotion!

Recovery time was not so bad. It was pretty easy, besides that gas pain in your shoulders. I spotted for a few days and just posted up on the couch for 3 days.

I just went to my post op appointment last week- confirmed stage 1 endo and blocked tube. Doc is hopeful- she says everything is all cleaned up and apparently even though I did not have a lot of endo, the disease puts off some sort of enzyme that really hinders fertility. So she thinks that we are going to have luck naturally.

I started my period last week, everything is normal- coming to the end of it and I am so freakin excited. I am holding out hope that we will soon have our little miracle. That is all I can do at this point.

So for all you ladies out there who are having a rough time- keep going. If you feel like something is wrong- talk to your doctor and find one that listens. I wish everyone luck and I hope we all have our BFP's really soon! I just wanted to share my journey because all of the wonderful stories and even the hard stories to read, gave me hope and kept me going.

TTC since July 2013Cycles vary from 24-28 days. No BFP's AT ALL!Lap done 9/9/14- Stage 1 endo behind uterus and one blocked tube- but cleared after HSG.10/22/14 First cycle after lap- BFN 11/17/14 Second cycle after lap- BFN Update 2/15/15- tried femera last cycle and no luck. On 6 month after lap TTC.Feeling hopeless

Ready4it, it is so great that you have something to feel excited about!! I really hope that that little bit of endo and your blocked tube were the only things holding you back!! Please update us after this cycle and good luck with the BDing!

I definitely will =) These boards kills me when someone drops off the face of the earth and don't complete their stories You have been awesome to chat with Chalt! How is everything going your way? You still considering the lap?

TTC since July 2013Cycles vary from 24-28 days. No BFP's AT ALL!Lap done 9/9/14- Stage 1 endo behind uterus and one blocked tube- but cleared after HSG.10/22/14 First cycle after lap- BFN 11/17/14 Second cycle after lap- BFN Update 2/15/15- tried femera last cycle and no luck. On 6 month after lap TTC.Feeling hopeless

Thanks Ready! You are also responsive and great to chat with! The lap is at the bottom of my list at this point. I feel like I need more peace of mind and proof of endo before I go ahead with it! That doctor was not patient enough and did not put me at ease at all. He also moved a bit too quickly into surgery for me. With DH's low counts, who knows what is going on for sure. I just need more testing first (despite the added time and cost) before going through with a lap. We are going to a fertility clinic! Pretty excited, but not about the cost! Luckily we get a free consult (normally $315) by going to a free seminar first, woo hoo.

Oh that is AWESOME!!! So happy you are getting that consult for free. Good luck =) I hope everything goes well!!!

TTC since July 2013Cycles vary from 24-28 days. No BFP's AT ALL!Lap done 9/9/14- Stage 1 endo behind uterus and one blocked tube- but cleared after HSG.10/22/14 First cycle after lap- BFN 11/17/14 Second cycle after lap- BFN Update 2/15/15- tried femera last cycle and no luck. On 6 month after lap TTC.Feeling hopeless

We went to the consult today! Everything was as expected basically. He did not ask me much about my cycles, how I track, etc., or about how often BD. I suppose when you have fairly regular cycles and have been trying over a year, they just assume something is up.

He figures my DH is the main problem. He got prescribed a vitamin (can't think of the name) that he is to take for 4-6 weeks and then get another SA. Weird since sperm take 3 months to be created... His new SA will be early November and his last was mid-July, so I really hope his numbers improve!!

He did an internal ultrasound on me. He confirmed my uterus is mostly on the right but he said it is anteverted (normal, flopped toward my front), which may be a normal anatomical variation or maybe I have a unicornuate uterus! Haha, let's hope not! He did find both of my ovaries though! He said they are both normal, I even saw the follicles.

Here is the plan: I have an HSG scheduled for next Tuesday, eek, and next cycle I will get blood work. If my uterus looks good, and DH's numbers have improved (we need at least 5 million good, motile sperm) we can do an IUI next cycle! Which means I need to take clomid so that I can produce more eggs I guess.

If I am fine but DH's numbers are not, we are looking at IVF with ICSI. Oh boy oh boy do I hope we don't have to go this route!

So, no lap for me! I just hope this is the best option and my slightly leaning uterus is not a sign that I have endo. These are such difficult choices for us to make!

I am nervous about the HSG and taking clomid. I have normal cycles and ovulate fine on my own, but this will help boost my eggs I guess.

*Update: The vitamins are called Naturally Smart, oh my gosh they are expensive!

I am so glad you don't have to have a lap! That is great news. I hope the vitamins do work out...it's so frustrating though when it sounds like it could be DH but now this uterus issue?! It's like hmmm what is actually causing the issue? You never know though- those vitamins might help and bring up his levels!! =) Good luck! I am in the TWW right now.... oooy! Having a strange cycle this month so we shall see.

TTC since July 2013Cycles vary from 24-28 days. No BFP's AT ALL!Lap done 9/9/14- Stage 1 endo behind uterus and one blocked tube- but cleared after HSG.10/22/14 First cycle after lap- BFN 11/17/14 Second cycle after lap- BFN Update 2/15/15- tried femera last cycle and no luck. On 6 month after lap TTC.Feeling hopeless

The HSG was quick, virtually painless for me, and showed that everything appears fine! Of course, I have not gotten blood tests yet, and endo would not show up necessarily (but I don't have any signs of that), but it is looking like DH's low numbers may be the main thing holding us back.

How are you doing Ready4it? Nearing the end of the TWW, I hope this is your month!

Hi there! Wow I am so glad the HSG went well for you.... I heard so many "painful" stories! BUT BUT BUT... I heard lots of success stories after the tubes are "cleaned out" Do they think you are going to be able to do an IUI soon? That would be great =)

I caved at 11DPO on Thursday and took a dollar tree test- nothing. I still haven't got AF yet but I have had a few odd things happen this month. Really not trying to think about it. If I don't get AF by tomorrow, I am going to test again. But I feel like I am probably out this month--- I just hope I don't go through months of trying again. So frustrating!!

TTC since July 2013Cycles vary from 24-28 days. No BFP's AT ALL!Lap done 9/9/14- Stage 1 endo behind uterus and one blocked tube- but cleared after HSG.10/22/14 First cycle after lap- BFN 11/17/14 Second cycle after lap- BFN Update 2/15/15- tried femera last cycle and no luck. On 6 month after lap TTC.Feeling hopeless

Just an update--- I didn't get a BFP first cycle after lap I am in the midst of cycle 2. Keep on trucking!!

TTC since July 2013Cycles vary from 24-28 days. No BFP's AT ALL!Lap done 9/9/14- Stage 1 endo behind uterus and one blocked tube- but cleared after HSG.10/22/14 First cycle after lap- BFN 11/17/14 Second cycle after lap- BFN Update 2/15/15- tried femera last cycle and no luck. On 6 month after lap TTC.Feeling hopeless

So sorry Ready I am in the same boat as you were, hoping for a miracle after the HSG. I will find out next week if I am so lucky! DH has his SA Tuesday and my CD 3 blood work will be Thursday or Friday I think. So, by the end of the week we will know what our next steps will be!

I hope you have a successful cycle =) We gotta keep on trucking! Can you imagine how it will feel after all our struggles to see that BFP?! I hope you see yours soon!!!

TTC since July 2013Cycles vary from 24-28 days. No BFP's AT ALL!Lap done 9/9/14- Stage 1 endo behind uterus and one blocked tube- but cleared after HSG.10/22/14 First cycle after lap- BFN 11/17/14 Second cycle after lap- BFN Update 2/15/15- tried femera last cycle and no luck. On 6 month after lap TTC.Feeling hopeless

Honestly, when I see a BFP, I don't think I will believe it!! I have to record myself testing when that day comes. That will be easy for me because I usually don't test, and will only do so if AF is actually late. I can't wait for that day!